What is a Victim Advocate?
Victim advocates are professionals trained to support victims of crime. Advocates offer victims information, emotional support, and help finding resources and filling out paperwork. Sometimes, advocates go to court with victims. Advocates may also contact organizations, such as criminal justice or social service agencies, to get help or information for victims. Some advocates staff crisis hotlines, run support groups, or provide in-person counseling. Victim advocates may also be called victim service providers, victim/witness coordinators, or victim/witness specialists.
What do Victim Advocates do for victims?
- Inform victims of their statutory rights under Indiana law.
- Act as a bridge between the victim, law enforcement, and the prosecutor's office.
- Give updates on case status, upcoming court dates, and plea agreements.
- Assist with writing and submitting Victim Impact Statements.
Resource & Financial Assistance Referrals
- Help complete applications for the state Violent Crime Victim Compensation Fund to cover medical bills or lost wages.
- Connect individuals with local emergency shelters, food assistance, and mental health groups.
- Register people for the automated Indiana SAVIN tracking system to monitor an offender’s custody status changes.
Accompany victims to hearings, depositions, and court proceedings.
Requesting restitution orders from the court (for compensation from offenders), or from the Indiana violent crime compensation funds.
Contact Justin Daniels at the Prosecutor's Office for more information
765-584-2644